iPod killers have amount and proceed , but even Apple acknowledges that its popular multimedia player is going to front some buckram competition from Microsoft ’s Zune this holiday season . And when the $ 249 devicedebuts next calendar month , it figures to attract attention not just from consumers , but from companies that have enjoyed a booming business ready accessories and add - ons for the iPod .
“ Microsoft partners like no other company , at least in the applied science market , ” said Joe Wilcox , fourth-year psychoanalyst at mart - enquiry house Jupiter Research . “ And with Windows and Xbox Microsoft has render that it can produce successful political program for third - company development . ”
Indeed , that figure to happen with the Zune , as at least one of the major suppliers of iPod accessories plan to follow suit with Microsoft ’s medicine histrion . Digital Lifestyle Outfitters , which offersdozens of cases , connectors , transmitters , and other iPod add - onsconfirmed that it is part of the “ plan for Zune ” accessory program . DLO is “ wreak direct with Redmond and the Zune squad there , ” said Andrew Green , the fellowship ’s vice president of selling .
“ Obviously the iPod program is very mature , so more contiguous chance be because of DLO ’s extensive experience with the applied science , ” Green added . “ However , the Zune offers some immediate and singular options that we already are explore . ”
But not every iPod appurtenance maker is hop on the Zune bandwagon . “ While many of our competition are spend worthful engine room resources and hedging their bets making mathematical product for compete MP3 player , we stay entirely focused on making the best potential accessory for Apple ’s customers,”XtremeMacCEO Gary Bart said .
Griffin TechnologyPresident Paul Griffin decline to comment directly on the Zune , but said that “ as the loss leader in the portable media player accessory securities industry we are always evaluating chance in this blank . ”
The market for music musician accessories is a healthy one , with the iPod ’s popularity providing a tantalising target for makers of cases , phone , adapters , and other gear . In discussing Apple ’s quarterly earnings with analysts this week , Apple Chief Financial Officer Peter Oppenheimer note that there are more than 3,000 iPod accessories available and that an guess 70 percent of the 2007 model year cars sold in the U.S. will declare oneself iPod desegregation . “ The iPod ecosystem continues to thrive , ” Oppenheimer say .
While the Zune has yet to found itself , industry analysts mention that it could be beneficial for add-on Godhead to indorse the new music player out of the gate .
“ It ’s not surprising some accessory manufacturing business would see Zune as an chance and take a coveted early supporting position , ” Jupiter Research ’s Wilcox said . “ Microsoft is sure to put lots of marketing muscle behind Zune , some of which will benefit add-on manufacturers supporting the twist . ”
The Zune ’s differ feature set up is garnering some aid in the market . Microsoft ’s subscription - based pricing for music download from the upcoming Zune Marketplace music download Robert William Service could attract some consumers , who ca n’t get a like deal from Apple ’s iTunes Store . The Zune ’s built - in FM radio receiver and wireless capabilities , which will countenance Zune users to “ send ” songs to one another , is also piquing some interest . And these features extend third - party developers new avenues for product exploitation .
Another element that could involve accessory society is the different shipway Microsoft and Apple deal with their developer . Griffin tell apart that the iPod will continue to garner most of the aid and instauration from developer , but that could change .
“ Differences in scheme toward developers by Apple and Microsoft may determine this beyond just the size of the market , ” Griffin say . “ Microsoft appear to have a very pliable scheme toward Zune developers that may pay off in more innovation on the political program . ”
Wilcox agrees with this assessment , saying that Microsoft will most probable work with developers . “ It ’s a mediocre wager from preceding demeanor that Microsoft wo n’t change Zune without working with accessary manufacturers beforehand . ”
